Christmas was no longer granted to him.
One day before Christmas Eve, on December 23rd, Jean-Claude Mahé died.
For decades, he was one of the driving forces behind the town twinning between Starnberg and Dinard, and the city made him an honorary citizen for his extraordinary services in October 2019.
Jean-Claude Mahé was 74 years old.
Starnberg - Jean-Claude Mahé came from a simple background.
His father was a soldier in World War II and was captured by Germany for several years.
Angelika Galata, who has been chairman of the Friends of Dinard for 17 years, can still remember how she and Mahé stood in Aleph on the former Atlantic Wall, where her father was once stationed.
"Our fathers went through the Second World War, said Jean-Claude, and we stand here together and have become friends," she says in an interview with Starnberg Mercury.
The reconciliation, the partnership and the friendship between French and Germans shaped Mahé's work - as a history and geography teacher as well as as a private citizen.
When the “Les Amis de Starnberg” association was founded in Dinard in 1979, he was there.
He succeeded Georges Thomazo as chairman of the association and was a partnership officer under the mayors Marius Mallet and Sylvie Mallet for many years.
"One of the most reliable partners ever"
"He was one of the most reliable partners ever," says Angelika Galata.
Mahé was “balanced and reflective”.
He always listened to other opinions and tried to convey in doubt - and that without regard to his health.
When Mahé was elected mayor of Dinard in 2017, the city was at odds over a major construction project.
“He worked through many dossiers, negotiated and brought some difficult matters to a good conclusion.
He pacified Dinard, ”says Galata.
"He did not spare his health." In February of this year he collapsed during a meeting and had had heart problems for a long time.
After he had not run in the election that year, Jean-Claude Mahé wanted to take care of his health more.
“He spent the last few weeks in the Rennes University Hospital, where he was supposed to be prepared for heart surgery,” reports Galata.
"But his general condition turned out to be so bad that he was moved back to Dinard a few days ago, where he unfortunately died." Jean-Claude Mahé leaves behind his wife Evelyne, three grown sons with their families and three grandchildren.
Mayor Patrick Janik dismayed by Mahé's death
Mayor Patrick Janik learned of Mahé's death "with deep sadness and dismay", as he says.
Over the decades, he has rendered outstanding services to the partnership between the two cities and helped shape it intensively.
"We regret that after a life full of extraordinary merit and the fulfillment of his duties he did not have any more time to retire. Our special condolences at this hour go to his wife and family", Janik wrote in a memorial message.
“The city of Starnberg will always keep Jean-Claude Mahé in an honorable memory.” In Dinard itself, Mahé is described as a “great unifier” and a “man with extraordinary skills”.
The memorial service with the cremation is already planned for this Monday.
Angelika Galata and Patrick Janik will not be able to take part with a heavy heart.
Brittany is not a high-risk Corona area, but traveling by train or plane leads via Paris and is therefore ruled out for reasons of pandemic.